While granite has traditionally been one of the most popular countertop materials, it’s being slowly replaced by quartz.
While granite is a beautiful material, it doesn’t always hold up to the demands of a busy kitchen. It may stain, etch, scratch, or crack and it requires sealing and special cleansers to maintain its appearance.
Quartz, on the other hand, gives the same beautiful surface and appearance with added durability. It is both stain and scratch-resistant and doesn’t require sealing or special cleaners.
For those who like the natural appeal of granite, quartz is made of more than 90% natural quartz, an igneous rock. This is part of what gives quartz countertops their durability, as quartz is one of the strongest common materials in household use.
This natural quartz is mixed with resins and pigments that allow the material to take on many different styles and appearances. While granite may vary tremendously in color and pattern from slab to slab, quartz is more consistent. This means you know exactly what you’re getting in your home without any unwelcome surprises.
Watch the video below to see the key differences between each material.
Many styles of quartz countertops are made to look like granite. Those who love the beauty of granite but want something more durable and consistent for their homes may want to consider these 21 quartz countertop alternatives instead.
21 Quartz Countertops that Look Like Granite
Just like real granite, quartz countertops are available in a wide range of colors, styles, and patterns. Commercial granite is actually the label given to a group of stones that all have similar mineral properties, such as quartz and feldspar. What this means is that the term granite can be used to describe a wide range of materials. Just like that wide range of materials, it’s possible to find quartz countertops that encompass many of the same properties. Whether you want a neutral, tightly patterned countertop for a traditional space or you want something with a little more color and personality, there is a quartz countertop color that will meet your needs.
1. True Neutral
Many of the igneous stones that make up granite are neutral in color and appearance. They range from grey to beige and contain small flecks of other colors like black and white. This enables them to fit into a very wide range of kitchens. This Ajanta quartz countertop meets all the same goals. It’s neutral, classic, contains flecks of other colors, and will fit well in many spaces.
2. Perfect Edges
Like granite, quartz countertops are made in slabs. The color and material goes straight through, for a full 3cm in thickness. This means you have options on how you want your edge to be formed as well as the ability to undermount sinks for a clean, uncluttered look.
3. Warmth and Movement
If you want a little more variation in your countertop, there are quartz colors that can give you a lot of depth and movement. This Argil countertop has more color, movement, and depth to it as well as a warm-colored background. It will let you pick up tones of chocolate and cream for your backsplash, cabinets, and floors, enabling you to create a cohesive, natural design.
4. Subtle Tones
Not all slab countertops need to have a lot of color and movement. This quartz countertop is rich and warm with just a hint of other colors in its surface for depth. It will fit in well with both formal and transitional spaces where a lot of color would detract from the rest of the design.
5. Bold Neutrals
Using neutrals in a design doesn’t necessarily mean using a bland countertop. This Bavaria quartz countertop is a blend of grey, brown, and cream. It’s neutral, but has enough contrast and organic texture to make a statement. Use this in a contemporary or transitional setting.
6. Light Tones
Like granite, quartz countertops have enough secondary color flecks to let them blend in well with a variety of designs. In this case, the light-colored countertops become one of the brightest tones in the room. The darker brown flecks tie them in nicely with the cabinets, creating a cohesive design.
7. Shades of Grey
Many homeowners are choosing to use a variety of shades of grey in their homes. Grey is neutral, but more updated and contemporary than beige, which makes it a nice fit in contemporary and transitional designs. This quartz countertop has enough going on that it’s anything but bland and boring, while still making a neutral backdrop.
8. Perfectly Balanced
If you’re making a traditional kitchen or bathroom design, it’s sometimes best when the countertop blends in with the space, rather than standing out. This quartz countertop is perfectly balanced between grey and beige. Neither warm nor cool, it will fit in with nearly any design, letting you pull other colors and accents to create just the right look.
9. Soft and Warm
Color and tone can do a lot for a space or a surface. Despite its hard properties, the warm colors and pattern of this quartz countertop create a visually soft space. This countertop draws you in and welcomes you, making the kitchen feel more approachable and usable for everyone.
10. Contemporary Contrast
Many people think of granite countertops in traditional and formal spaces rather than contemporary ones. But quartz that looks like granite can make a big statement in modern spaces, as well. The key is to choose a subtle pattern, like this one, and contrast its color and tone with the rest of the space for a bigger impact.
11. Cool and Deep
Many light-colored stones have become increasingly popular. Cool colors with hints of grey mixed with white make an elegant statement in any space. They’re particularly popular in cottage-style designs, where light colors prevail.
12. Transitional Design
Transitional designs that blend traditional and contemporary aspects in one setting make for very dynamic rooms. This kitchen does a beautiful job of this with two colors of cabinetry and stainless appliances mixed with distressed hardwood floors. The quartz countertop ties everything together with hints of grey and black picked up elsewhere in the space.
13. Flecks of Color
Some of the most popular granite countertops including Bianco Romano and Giallo Ornamentale contain small flecks of cranberry color on a light background. But these colors are often the weakest granites and the most likely to stain, etch, or crack. This quartz countertop perfectly captures that look, but won’t have any of the issues those light-colored granites can bring.
14. Classic Appeal
Classic kitchens need classic countertops to match. This Kindred quartz countertop makes an elegant statement when paired with raised panel cabinets and a farmhouse-style sink. The color and movement of the countertop adds interest while complementing the other pieces of the design.
15. Traditionally Dark
Many traditional spaces rely on dark countertops to make the statement for the room. Whether you’re designing a bar in an entertainment room or a formal kitchen, dark quartz countertops like this one add just the right touch to the design.
16. Traditional Tones
Many traditional designs rely on a range of tones to create depth within the design. In this kitchen, the granite-look quartz serves as the midpoint between the dark island lighter cabinets. The dark and white flecks in the quartz help tie it all together.
17. Tone on Tone
Many granite countertops feature colored flecks on a more solid background. This quartz countertop has a similar look, with light and dark shades of the same rich brown. This countertop would look best on a stained cabinet or a deep cream color rather than on a stark white.
18. Naturally Balanced
Many light-colored stones have a flecked pattern to them. This has a very natural appeal, as you can picture the rocks the countertops may have come from. This Rocky Shores quartz countertop has that flecked appearance for an organic and natural look.
19. Varied Movement
Variation in color and pattern is integral to many granites, as well as part of their appeal. If you like the idea of movement and changes in color across the countertop, but want something easier to care for, consider a quartz like Rolling Stone. This rich, warm countertop has variation in size and movement of the flecks and veins, giving it a very natural look that has personality.
20. Light Movement
If you love variation in tone, but want something subtle, there are quartz countertops for you. Quartz that looks like granite doesn’t have to mean lots of tightly packed flecks, sometimes it can mean soft color changes and movement across the countertop for a more relaxed look.
21. Crisp and Clean
Quartz countertops have a very crisp feeling to them, with the colors and tones perfectly chosen to complement one another with nothing left to chance. While the colors in granite may get muddied in places, every quartz countertop will appear perfectly balanced, crisp, clean, and able to complement a wide range of styles and kitchen designs.
Get the Look of Granite with Quartz
Quartz countertops are stylish, durable, and low maintenance. They can give you the look of granite, but with none of granite’s drawbacks. If you like the look of granite for your kitchen, consider quartz instead to get the best of both worlds.
